Franklin Lakes July 28, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 New ordinance raises community center fees by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council has adopted an ordinance that raises the fees for the use of the borough’s community center and programs. According to Councilman Frank Bivona, who is the chairman of the council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, the fees were increased to avoid the need for the borough’s taxpayers to subsidize the use of the community center by small groups of residents who attend classes at the center. He said the committee felt, for instance, that $25 per month for an individual adult to attend fitness classes administered by the recreation and parks department, including the use of the center’s weight room, was reasonable. “I’m not in favor of all taxpayers subsidizing small groups of people,” Bivona said. “What we are offering is a bargain, even at double the price.” He also emphasized that an individual adult can still use the weight room only for $12 per month. According to the ordinance, the new fees for residents, including attendance at fitness classes administered by the recreation and parks department and use of weight room, will be $35 per month or $420 per year for a family; $20 per month or $240 per year for a student; $25 per month or $300 per year for a single adult; and $10 per month or $120 per year for a senior citizen. The fees for residents who just want to use the weight room will now be $20 per month or $240 per year for a family; $10 per month or $120 per year for a student; $12 per month or $144 per year for a single adult; and $10 per month or $120 per year for a senior citizen. The fee for non-residents for attending fitness classes administered by the recreation and parks department and using the weight room will be $35 per month per person. Non-residents who want to use the weight room only will be charged $25 per month per person. Attendance at fitness classes administered by the recreation and parks department by non-members, or for members whose membership does not include attendance at such fitness classes, will be $10 per class. The use of the weight room by non-members will be $10 per day. The fees for the use of the main activity room will be $50 for one hour, $100 for two hours, $150 for three hours, and $250 for four or more hours. Non-profit religious, charitable, or educational organizations or institutions will be charged $25 for one hour, $50 for two hours, $75 for three hours, and $125 for four or more hours. New superintendent pleased with district The new superintendent of the Franklin Lakes K-8 school district is pleased with what he has seen and learned about the teachers, administration, and parents of the school district. Dr. Frank Romano joined the school district officially on July 1, but prior to that date he took vacation time from his previous position as assistant superintendent of schools in Fort Lee to meet with his new district’s administration, teachers, parent teacher associations, parents, and the members of the education association. He said he spent a lot of time in the office with the office staff, Business Administrator Michael Solokas, and the previous superintendent, Dr Roger Bayersdorfer. “I had a wonderful opportunity to be able to come in slowly and to meet the different constituent groups,” Romano said, explaining that he spent about 10 full days over a two-month period since being named the new superintendent in May getting a feel of the district and attending school board meetings to get a sense of the district. Romano said he thought of himself as anthropologist coming into the district, who wanted to look, listen, and learn about what the school district looks and sounds like before he came there so he did not do anything to disrupt the culture of the district, or the things of which people are proud. “Franklin Lakes is in great shape,” Romano emphasized, “every district has room for improvement, but Franklin lakes is in great shape. You have parents who are actively involved, you have a board of education that understands education more than many school boards, you have committed professionals in administration, and as to the teachers, all I’ve seen is high quality in the limited dealings I’ve had with the staff.” Romano will receive $189,000 during the first year of his contract, with a 3.5 percent increase in the second year and two percent increases in the third and fourth years, during which he could gain an additional 1.5 percent if school board goals are met. He referred to the teachers’ contract negotiations as a trying situation and he congratulated the teacher groups he met with for being professional, courteous, and cooperative. “If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t know,” he told the teachers, referring to their contract negotiations. He also said he had the good fortune to have an out-going superintendent who not only tolerated his presence but accommodated it. 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